The Garden of Eden

Was it just coincidence ? (Genesis 2:4 to 4:26)

The early chapters of Genesis are of the greatest importance in the understanding of

Scripture, and without some appreciation of them much of the Bible is likely to be an enigma

to the reader. However, the simple way in which the story of the creation and fall of Man is narrated tends

to be a stumbling-block to those who are looking for a treatise in the language of modern science, and are

not prepared to believe in that which is expressed otherwise. God, however, does not speak and act in a way

which will make something of this world's wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:17-31), but rather in a way which will

be understood by the " babes " (Matthew 11:25/26). Nevertheless, while what God presents to man is often

(" SOME things are hard to be understood " {2 Peter 3:16}) expressed in simple terms, it contains profound

depths of meaning, and will well repay careful study (Psalm 119:97-104), as well as meet the needs of the

simplest soul (Psalm 119:130).

Now what is brought to our notice in Genesis 3 is the origin of the great PROBLEM of sin, to

which we find the SOLUTION in the work of Christ. The correlation of these two things is, I submit, and

shall seek to show, impossible to attribute to coincidence.

To begin with, Man's sin took place in a garden; Christ went to a garden on the night before his

crucifixion (John 18:1). Was that coincidence ? And was it simply coincidence that that garden

was on the mount of Olives (Luke 22:39) to the EAST of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4), just as the

garden in Genesis 2 and 3 was " in Eden EASTWARD“ (Genesis 2:8) ?

As to Christ Himself, as He contemplated the ordeal that lay before Him, is not the

"SWEAT... as great drops of blood, falling down upon THE EARTH " (Luke 22:44) intended to remind us

of the cursing of the ground consequent upon Adam's sin (Genesis 3:17) ? or is it just coincidence that God

said: " In the SWEAT of thy face shalt thou eat bread " (Genesis 3:19) ?

Apart from this Christ said to his disciples: " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation "

(Matthew 26:41). Had He not in mind the temptation that led to Adam's fall ?

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